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§S. S. SiinHarp (Tommisston. 

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF BOSTON ASSOCIATES, 
No. 7(1, Kingston Strekt, 

B()8T0^\ Junk 10, 18<U. 

DuKiNG the period of a little more than two months that has elapsed 
since the preparation of the accompanying He])ort, onr ai-mies in Vir- 
ginia and the South-west have entered upon the most active and 
formidable campaign of the war. 

The Commission, with larger facilities, and a more thoroughly 
organized Relief Service than e^'er before, is administering its A'^aried 
work of relief, with the most gratifying efficiency and directness, 
throughout the wide field of its operations. 

Its Special Relief Service at this point has, at the same time, 
assumed increased scojie and importance. Under existing arrange- 
ments, the slightly wounfled from the battle-fields of Virginia are 
permitted to go, upon furlough, directly to their homes to recruit, 
instead of being sent into hospital. Large numbers of this class arrive 
daily at the Relief Rooms of the Connnission in this city. 

In order, also, to relieve the hos])itals in Washington and vicinity, 
a process of transfer is continually going on, by which the wounded 



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are removed to such hospital accommodations as are available at 
remote points. Under this arrangement, large numbers of Maine, New- 
Hampshire, and Massachusetts soldiers are now arriving at this point, 
en route to Government hospitals in their respective States. 

The majority of all these come more or less directly under the 
care of this branch of the Commission's Special Relief Service, when 
they enter our hospital cars at New York, and are daily transported, 
with every possible appliance for their comfort, to this city. Upon 
reaching our Relief Rooms, they receive such attention as their various 
and individual wants require ; their wounds are dressed ; they are 
washed, fed, and clothed; and, rested and refreshed, are sent on to 
their homes or hospitals — such as are too severely wounded, or 
too seriously ill to travel alone, being sent in charge of a special 
attendant. 

A branch of the "Hospital Directory Department" of the Com- 
mission has also been undertaken, in connection with the Special Relief 
Service in this city. It is a directory or bureau of information, daily 
revised, wholly in the interest of military patients and their friends, 
and is designed to furnish, without charge, recent and accurate infor- 
mation concerning every patient in military hospitals. 

The enlarged scope and increased importance of this work in- 
volves an increased expenditure, due provision for which engages 
the serious consideration of the Executive Committee. The issue 
of the accompanying Report, exhibiting the results of the Service 
during the first year of its administration, is deemed a fitting- 
occasion to present to the friends of the Commission, in this city 



and vicinity, its claims upon their continued support, and the necessity 
wliich exists that this shall be ensured by timely and adequate 
pecuniary aid. 

The increasing necessity and importance of the work, and its 
economical and humane results, justify the Committee, it is believed, 
in confidently anticipating that its wants will be cordially and liberally 
met, and that contributions will be promptly made, without further 
personal application, to the Treasurer, J. Huntington Wolcott, No. 
82, Milk Street. 



H. B. ROGERS, 

JAMES M. BARNARD, I Executive 

JNO. S. BLATCHFORD, | Committee. 

J. HUNTINGTON WOLCOTT 



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